What Boob Jobs, Teeth, and Singapore Have in Common

Plastic Surgery Not Just for Breasts

When most people think about plastic surgery, they usually picture common procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tucks, or face lifts.  Most don’t realize that some types of dental care can also be considered plastic, or cosmetic, surgery.  Dental crowns are one example.  They enhance the appearance of people’s smiles by removing gaps created by pulled or lost teeth.  The right set of crowns can transform a smile from toothless to tempting in just a few visits.  Fortunately, with difficult economic times upon us, Dr. James Eggleston, DDS of Eggleston Dental Care says, “People don't have to do cosmetic procedures right now but general dentistry has to be maintained.”

Medical Tourism Sees Higher Numbers for Dental Care

The medical tourism industry has experienced amazing growth, particularly in recent years.  A combination of factors—excessive health care costs, sharp declines in disposable income, and the overwhelming desire to “bring sexy back”—have led US patients beyond our borders; even for procedures as simple as dental crowns.  Of the estimated 750,000 US patients who sought medical care abroad last year, some say 40% sought dental care.  Some patients see medical tourism as the only way they can afford dental care these days; others understand that they can’t afford not to continue taking care of their dental health.

Possible Applications for Medical Tourism

In the United States, regulations are coming that allow patients to see where their crowns are coming from once their dentist orders them.  This comes in response to potentially costly lead levels found in some patients’ dental crowns.  Studies are having difficulty tracking the source of the lead and trace quantities, because nearly a fifth of the crowns (around 7 million) come from overseas.  As a result, patients demand greater visibility and transparency.  It is not certain when, or if, such regulations will extend to Singapore and other medical tourism destination countries.  Still, patients can find solace knowing that many of the industry’s regulating bodies—like the Joint Commission International—are US-based.

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